The scheme has been on the drawing board for more than four years, and appeared to have foundered after planners were unable to reach an agreement with the owner of the building.

But planning consent has now been granted by East Hampshire District Council for a 40-bedroom hotel and 12 houses at Adhurst.

The permission is subject to a list of 28 conditions.

One of the most significant is that the hotel must be built and occupied and the main house at Adhurst must be restored as the first stage of the overall scheme – and before any of the proposed dwellings are occupied. The house was built in the 19th century for John Bonham Carter, who was MP for Petersfield at the time.

It was later used as a school.

The idea of converting it into a hotel was first proposed in 2002, and the original plans were approved in December of that year.

A subsequent plan was put forward two years later which proposed that 12 private houses should also be built – a scheme which conflicted with local council policy of not allowing new residential development in the countryside.

It was argued that the housing element was essential to finance the overall development. But members of EHDC’s south planning committee were not satisfied that a financial package could be drawn up to guarantee that the house would be restored.

They feared that they could end up with new houses – but no new hotel.

Jason Clemons, the planning consultant acting for Adhurst owner James Nolan, told the Post this week that he was optimistic that the hotel scheme would now go ahead.

Mr Clemons said: “The planning consent means that there can now be redevelopment of this listed building, which is what this has all been about.

“A lot of detailed figures and costings have had to be prepared and put to the council, which is why this has taken so long. It is a complex site with a lot of issues to resolve.”

One of the main issues has been the access from Adhurst onto the B2070, formerly the main road from London to Petersfield. The hotel access would be opposite the busy junction with the A272.

Among the conditions attached to the planning consent is that satisfactory access arrangements must be completed before the hotel or houses are occupied.

Another condition is that a detailed scheme for restoring and landscaping the extensive grounds must be drawn up and approved.